hunting

Hunting Safety

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Hunting has survived the modernization of civilization. In fact, it has flourished into one of the most popular pastimes and hobbies in the world. Unfortunately, one of the world’s favourite past times can also be one of its most dangerous. Every hunter should know some basic things before heading out into the fields.

The most important aspect of hunting concerns how to walk and carry a gun. It is important to make sure that the muzzle always points away from the hunter and any companions. There are many ways to do this. One option is the side carry, which is effectively carrying the gun with one hand and tucking the stock between the elbow and the body. It is not recommended to use the side carry when the hunter is walking through dense brush or with other companions walking in front, however.

Another option is the ready carry. With the ready carry, the gun is held with two hands and the muzzle is pointed upwards and towards the front of the hunter. The trigger finger should be rested on the proper guard.

The sling carry involves both hands of the hunter being free. A sling is used to carry the gun over the hunter’s shoulder, giving clear range for the hunter to move however he or she wants.

Others prefer the shoulder carry method of carrying a gun. Using this technique involves the muzzle of the gun resting skyward. It is probably not a good idea to use this technique of carrying a gun with companions behind.

Finally, the trail carry involves the gun held at a point between the action and the trigger. If someone is walking ahead of the hunter, it is not a good idea to use the trail carry because the muzzle is pointing down but forward.

Once the hunter has established a safe and comfortable way to carry his or her weapon, it is very important to plan next what to do when encountering the game. Before encountering the target, all hunters should establish a “zone of fire” where each will shoot and track when game appears. It is very important that one hunter never encroach on another’s zone.

When hunting from a boat, there are general safety precautions that should be considered. First, make sure the weapon to be used by the hunter who will be sitting in the bow of the boat is unloaded. His or her gun must be placed facing the bow. The next hunter places his or her unloaded gun in the stern with its muzzle pointing to the rear. Hunters should always remember to anchor the boat before shooting and to fire in opposite directions.

To keep their skills sharp, hunters often practise on ranges. These controlled shooting areas also have a set of commands geared for the safe enjoyment of all the participants. If a hunter says, “the range is hot”, for example, it means that the range is open for shooting and that there are no live objects, such as people, on the range. If a hunter says, “cease fire”, it means to stop all firing immediately. Another command on the firing range is “ready”. This is the last precaution taken by shooters before the “range is hot” command. Each shooter repeats the phrase “ready” from right to left to ensure the firing line is clear and safe.

deer hunting

Deer Hunting: About Axis Deer

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If you are wondering about hunting the breed of axis deer, you can take a look over numerous ranches placed throughout the state of Texas. Axis deer, known for their large horns, fall under the most favorable hunting category for hunters. Axis deer form the top class breed amongst the other type of deer breeds, thus providing the best meat among all wild breed deer.

About axis deer:
Hunters find the bodies of these axis deer quite appealing and striking. The body spots of these axis deer find a resemblance and blends finely with its natural environments featured by thickly layered forest and scrub brushes. Hunting an axis deer is a challenging and thrilling task, which tempts the hunters to pursue it at any moment of the year. On an average, the length of antlers on these deer ranges from two to two and a half feet, if measured lengthwise. Hunters find it very eye-catching and feel like having one of such breed in their hunting adventure. Sometimes, a hunter who strikes on such trophy quality deer appears delightful and pleasantry surprised on finding the antlers size of three feet.

Axis deer are known as natural fighters and have left behind the category of Bengal tigers in their native land of Sri Lanka only. This quality of axis deer excites the people to carry outhunting of these special kinds of deer on regular basis. Axis deer shed their antlers on regular intervals, thus their left out antlers pave the way for their hunters quest by prompting and inciting them. There are no proper schedules or fixed measures with which hunters can determine the deer’s antler transformation.

Don’t get demoralized:
You will notice that axis deer always stay in herds and very rarely move in single. It may be quite frightening for some and demoralizing for some. Guys, if you really wish to catch your prey make sure you are skillful in various techniques of hunting but at the same time; work in a very human way. Axis deer is a very smart social animal that knows very well about the way of building the best alarm systems around themselves, so that it can help him in times of danger. They bellow and bawl in order to warn its fellow deer about danger.

Hunters need to take proper steps in order to have an axis deer in their side; otherwise all the efforts for hunting this sturdy and brawny minded deer will be in vain. The absolute and sheer size of axis deer makes them quite appealing among hunters hunting list. Thus, to conclude, we can say that if these simple minor things are kept in mind then efforts made in respect of hunting an axis deer will surely get you fruitful results.

deer hunting

Deer Hunting Tips

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Deer hunting is an interesting thing that reminds you of those golden old ages of 19th centuries, where a handsome hunk well equipped with all hunting material rides on horse searching for his target animal either for the purpose of displaying his masculine powers or for enticing and wooing his lady love. Sounds interesting and fascinating? Yes it is! But unfortunately, gone are those days. However, even when deer hunting is carried out these days; it happens to be a amusing and entertaining experience.

Successful deer hunting doesn’t require much of a deliberated effort on the part of the hunter. Rather, if few simple tips and things are kept in mind, it would certainly make it a triumphant adventure. So, now pack up your bags and get ready to play the exciting game of hunting deer without any extra ado.

Timing:
Time is one of the chief factors to be kept in mind before leaving for deer hunting. The best time to bag a deer are sunsets and sunrise. This is because the lightning at these times confuses the sight of deer and you can see herd of this poor animal looking for its food for the purpose of filling its empty stomach. These timings also ensure the safety of your teammates. You can also start as early as possible before sunrise by hiding yourself in safe places. This way you can easily pounce upon your required variety as sun rises, without getting noticed by them.

Things to avoid:
If you think your most expensive perfume will aid you in catching your prey, then think again. It would be better, if you avoid any kind of perfumes, after shaves, colognes or any kind of sturdy scented fragrance. Try to keep the artificial smells to minimum. Before leaving for deer hunting, try to blend the smell of your body with countryside, otherwise the smell of human body may deteriorate your purpose of deer hunting. You can always try out these expensive and powerful smelling deodorants after you are finished up with your deer hunting.

Silence: the best guiding factor
Keeping mum considerably increase your chances of deer finding. Though deer hunting may be a fun-packed and amusing experience for you and your friends, you need to take care of the noise factor. Deer remain quite cautious about sound. This is the most important tip to be kept in mind while driving for deer hunting; otherwise you will end up losing that prized buck.

These few simple basic tips, if kept in mind, will result in a better deer hunting experience; a memorable amusing and enjoyable adventure not only for you, but for your team mates too. So what are you waiting for? Get, set and go on your hunting spree.

hunting news

A little slice of heaven — with deer: Cotton-Hanlon leasing helps hunters … – Ithaca Journal

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A little slice of heaven — with deer: Cotton-Hanlon leasing helps hunters …
Ithaca Journal
Larry Rinker, left, and Tom Carson, standing in front of their hunting cabin, are part of a group of sportsmen who lease more than 200 acres of woodland in the Montour Falls area from Cotton-Hanlon Inc. / JEFF MURRAY / Staff Photo » Cotton-Hanlon Inc.

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Source: A little slice of heaven — with deer: Cotton-Hanlon leasing helps hunters

bow hunting

Accessories for Your Bow Hunting Experience

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Bow hunting is described as the activity wherein you kill game animals by archery. Archers have limited shots ranging about 20 to 30 yards. Some of the factors that affect distance include the person’s ability, bow setup and type, weather and the target animal. Bow hunting for fish is known as bow fishing. Variations can be added to your archery equipment based on your goals. You will need different accessories for complete experience.

The Bows

Although some individuals prefer using modern compound bows to hunt game at present, there are still old school followers who prefer to use the crude materials. There are longbows, crossbows and recurve bows that can be used by disabled hunters or by hunters who prefer a little more challenge in their trips. The bow is the most important equipment you need for the sport. There are plenty of models available depending on your personal preference and goals. Compound bows are the most common and have long been proven to be easy and reliable.

The Arrows

You will need arrows with your bow to shoot the game with. The standard arrow is made of a shaft with an arrowhead at the front end and fletching at the rear end. There are different kinds of arrows. Fletching give a certain amount of drag to stabilize the arrow’s flight. The arrow size can range anywhere from 18 inches to 5 feet. Modern arrows now measure about 2.5 to 3 feet long.

Arrow Types

Broadhead arrows are the most commonly used in modern hunting. These used to be more common during warfare and have 2 to 4 sharp blades to cause massive bleeding in the shot game. These arrows also have a very wide cutting edge to kill as immediately as possible. These arrows are quite expensive and are used to kill, instead of just target practice.

Hunters usually invest in either mechanical or fixed-blade broadhead arrows. The mechanical blade is more streamlined and flies better, but results to less penetration. The fixed-blade broadhead have rigid and unmovable blades. If you want to practice first, you can get target point arrows with bullet-shaped arrowheads that do not cause huge damage.

The Outfit

You will need to wear protective suit and camouflage to ward off external elements. The camouflage will help hide you from your target as you draw closer. Usually, long sleeve suits, pants and combat boots are very ideal to keep you steady as you focus on your target. There are different accessories that can go with the outfit such as a hat or helmet, gloves, scarves and goggles for night hunting.

Hunting Supplies

Other supplies that you have to prepare include repair gear, arrow rests and bow hunting lights. The bow will need some tune-up while you are in the woods so you need tools for it like spare arrows, allen wrenches, pliers, adhesives and release aids. Bow hunters should also pack their own water and food. Field tip arrows are needed to practice in the field. First-aid kits and communication or navigation devices like a GPS or map is very important.

Bow Hunting Packs

There are different types of bow hunting packs. The basic model is made to carry the bow and arrow, as well as additional arrows. Other packs allow you to store more things like skinning tools and food. These packs are generally designed to fit the human body and for easy mobility. The usual bow hunting packs has a shoulder strap where you can hold the bow and arrows. The external pockets let you hold more gear and arrows. These are different from backpacks in the sense that you create less noise when moving around.

More Accessories

There are several other accessories that you may want to invest in to improve your skills in bow hunting. Included are binoculars, deer or game decoys, game ears or hearing aids, game calls that attract animals to you, hearing protection and enhancements, night vision tools, lights and cameras. There are stands and other accessories that help you establish your hunting spot quickly. Be sure to bring enough maps and other emergency devices just in case you land into some kind of trouble. It is always recommended to bring a buddy along in all hunting trips.

elk hunting

Elk Hunting With A Bow

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Elk are big animals in size. Many hunters don’t believe the truth about the size of Elk until they see it actually.

You must be very good shooter for doing well at archery elk hunt. The things which one need to know about elk is habits of elk, its dwelling place, its place of feeding, its eating and drinking habits etc. The foremost thing, which one needs to do for archery elk hunting, is to gain complete understanding about the animal.

You need to establish your camp at a place where there is availability of source of fresh water. The animal will surely pay visit to its place of fresh drinking water sooner or later in case you keep on waiting for the animal at that place. The animals will also pay a visit to nearest area where large numbers of trees are available near their dwelling place.

Elk eat on grass and some kinds of berries. The types of berries include strawberries, blackberries and snowberries. Your first step for hunting elk should be to search for sources of food. The elk will come to place of availability of their food.

You can establish a set up on the earth or on a tree. You have to spend a lot of time on this set up for verifying that this set up is comfortable and everything which you require is available on it. You should try to establish many set ups and keep on changing your place. The smells of human beings remain at a place for many days and elk will not prefer to visit such places.

You also require a bow that is packed with a substantial punch. The arrows, which you use for shooting, should be large enough to make an uncontaminated kill. You need a great practice for developing skill of making good shots.

You should wear same device during practice session for shooting, which you are going to wear during hunting of elk. There is great difference between shooting a bow in a simple t shirt and shooting a bow while you are wrapped in heavy coats and disguise. The difference between this is same as difference between a successful shot and an unsuccessful shot.

Some hunters use a method of cow call or the method of bugling while archery elk hunting as these methods work more efficiently while hunting. These methods are very good when the animals are in heat and groove.

Many hunters prefer the use of cow call method.
Archery elk hunting is a very complex task. Elks are very big animals and you should have a good a very good shot. You should learn the important part of archery elk hunting.

hunting

Gun Safety for Hunters

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There are many reasons that a hunter would get seriously injured, but the leading cause is improper gun handling. Unfortunately, too many hunters ignore vital safety precautions when hunting and do not take good care of their weapon. Hunting injuries or fatalities are becoming all too common in the world of hunting and many people do not seem too concerned about the fatal realities of these incidents. The logical hunter, however, takes careful note of all of the safety precautions involving his or her weapon and learns the basics of gun safety for hunters.

One of the first fundamental laws of hunting safety is to always treat the gun as if it is loaded. This is a universal guideline for gun safety as it does not refer to any actual type of gun. In terms of having a gun in general, one should never assume that it is unloaded. One should never be flippant with a gun or wave it around, point it at others or work carelessly with it. There is always the off chance that something could occur as a result of any gun powder residue or other possibilities, giving the odds of a dangerous incident more ground than necessary. Instead, simply treat the gun as if it is always loaded and err on the side of caution.

In relationship to the aforementioned law of gun safety, it is important to be responsible and keep the gun unloaded until it is ready for use on the hunting grounds. This avoids any injury or death due to the gun accidentally going off due to careless use or due to improper storage. Many a story has been told about gun injuries relating to guns going off in truck compartments and shooting through truck seating, relating to the notion that the gun was not only properly stored but that the improperly stored gun was loaded. For reasons such as these, always store the gun as unloaded.

When on the hunting field, it is important to remember hunting safety techniques. Always keep the fingers in indexed positions until ready to fire. This avoids any accidental firing which can obviously result in serious injury. Instead, the fingers should be somewhat folded and away from the trigger if possible. If the fingers are more apt to be near the gun’s trigger, keep them folded and away from any notches until the prey is well within scope range. One false move with a finger too close to the trigger could result in accidental firing resulting in injury or death.

Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This, of course, means that the gun should never be pointed at another person. Many a story has been told of guns pointed at hunting companions in jest, only for the gun to accidentally go off and injure or kill the unfortunate companion. For this reason and for reasons involving common sense, keep the gun pointed somewhere safe and away from yourself and people at all times. This rule applies whether the gun is loaded or not.

Never look down the barrel of the gun to see if it is loaded. This is simply something that should not be done under any circumstances. As a reference to the aforementioned rules, one of the fundamental foundations of gun safety is expecting the unexpected. If one is looking down the gun barrel, there is no predictable way to ensure that the gun will not accidentally fire from powder residue or any other elements that could be lodged in the gun. Keep the face away from the gun barrel at all times.

Make sure that the gun is never dropped. This can result in accidental firing, which can send a bullet or powder in a very chaotic and unpredictable direction. Instead, always hold the gun with both hands and treat it as carefully as possible.

Never let a person who is intoxicated in any way handle a gun. Alcohol and drugs slow the reason factor on people, resulting in a lapse of reason and better judgment. An intoxicated person may improperly operate a firearm, leading to injury or possible death.

All in all, these fundamental rules should be followed if one wants to ensure a safe and happy hunting trip. Without paying attention to safety regulations, the risk factor of the average hunting trip more than doubles and injury is almost inevitable. Be safe when hunting or handling a gun of any kind.

duck hunting

The Joy of Duck Hunting

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Duck hunting is one of the most popular hunting sports in the world. It is as much a social calling as it is a hunt, in fact, representing a whole set of cultural standards and etiquette rules that many people do not even consider. It has a whole culture all its own, from a proper dress code to duck hunting dogs and assistants. The world of duck hunting is ripe with cultural significance, but is also has a dark side and represents a less than desirable aspect of human nature. Regardless of the point of view, there is something to be learned about duck hunting that may shed some light on either side of the ethical quandary.

Duck hunting is mainly a sporting activity around the world now, as commercial duck hunting has since been banned in most of the developed countries. Duck hunting is, in fact, as old as time itself. There are early indications that ducks and geese were somehow hunted during the Ice Age. Cave drawings indicate that duck hunting was a sound practice early on in human existence, giving way to ducks and swans appearing on cave paintings in Ice Age Europe. There is also evidence of duck hunting in Egypt, as a mural on the tomb of Khum-Hotpe displays a man capturing ducks in a stream. Ducks were also likely hunted by early man in the Americas, as early Peruvian art indicates.

With this international history, duck hunting enjoys a popularity that spreads around the world. It is especially popular in North America, where the largest number of localized ducks can be located. Most ducks use the Mississippi River as a migratory guide, so many duck hunts take place along the river to use it as a guide for finding ducks. Arkansas is a major hotbed of duck hunting, with Stuttgart being considered the “duck hunting capital of the world”.

Duck hunting is often considered popular because of its simplicity. The tools of the trade are simplistic enough, from a decoy set to a shotgun and duck call. The essence of duck hunting is based around the trickery of using the decoy and the duck call in tandem to lure the ducks out and into the air towards the decoy. After this takes place, the ducks are in open range for the hunt and the firing begins. These hunts take place around rivers, streams, lakes and any other bodies of water where ducks can be found.

There are many aspects that stand in contrast to duck hunting, of course. Most waterfowl conservation experts agree that the hunting of any type of waterfowl does little to help any situation. In fact, most marsh and wetland areas are shrinking at tremendous rates, giving rise the the criticism that duck hunting effectively diminishes an already diminishing habitat. There are several organizations that constantly spar with duck hunters over this reality.

One organization is the popular Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited is an international organization that stands as the leader in non-profit marshland protection and the protection of waterfowl. Ducks Unlimited sometimes works with hunters to protect the marshlands and protect the hunter’s way of life. The main goal of Ducks Unlimited is the conservation of localized habitats where ducks can be found, enabling hunters to continue protected and logical hunts of ducks and enabling the survival of more ducks by creating better places for them to live.

Still, some hunters ignore this philosophy and have no interest in any protection of habitats. They, instead, pillage the duck areas and hunt ducks that should not be hunted. Duck hunting remains a controversial sport because of this aspect, unfortunately, and will continue to have a dark side as long as hunters remain blissfully ignorant as to the realities of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited. Without the cooperation of hunters and marshland protectors, duck hunts may be a thing of the past.

hunting leases

DNR looking for hunting land in area counties – Baraboo News Republic

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DNR looking for hunting land in area counties
Baraboo News Republic
Most of the money — $1.4 million — is used for lease agreements with landowners, Keenan said. “To date we've spent around $560000 in lease agreements,” she said. Keenan said one of the reasons the program was opened up into more counties is to use …

Source: DNR looking for hunting land in area counties – Baraboo News Republic

hunting

The Nature-Friendly Hunter

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The nature-friendly hunter’s motto is: Leave the woods the same as when you came. Well, minus an animal or two of course. If you are going to be camping overnight, try to disturb as little of the environment as possible. Don’t clear brush unnecessarily. Try to envision your trip as an overnight stay at someone’s home. You are a guest in the habitat of many animals and some you aren’t even aware of.

Always bury your campfire to ensure that it will not reignite and cause a full-blown blaze in the wilderness. Check your fire several times before leaving the area. Forest fires can be devastating to natural areas for years afterwards. If left to spread out of control, a forest fire not only endangers the lives of animals but the lives of citizens and firefighters as well.

Bodily functions are an unavoidable part of life. When relieving yourself, bury your fluids and excrement with dirt to prevent disturbing territorial boundaries of animals.

If you pack it in, pack it out. Do not leave trash lying on the ground. Return your campsite as close to its original condition as possible before leaving. Double check your gear before hiking out so that you don’t unintentionally leave anything behind. Pack your food in airtight containers to avoid attracting any hungry neighbors.

If you are installing a tree stand, choose a mature, healthy tree. Smaller trees may be permanently damaged by the combined weight of your gear and your body. Consider tying back stray branches instead of cutting them. Choosing a mature tree will provide you with more choices in large branches to fasten your safety cord to as well.

A few safety tips

Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for bad weather and leave tree stands at the first signs of high winds to avoid injuring yourself and the tree. Keep your eyes and ears open for flash floods. Dress appropriately for the predicted weather in your area. Dressing in layers is helpful. Don’t forget your safety orange clothing to alert other hunters in our area of your presence.

Be on the lookout for stow-aways in your bedding or gear like snakes, scorpions, or spiders. Shake out all bedding and clothing, including your boots, before putting them on or packing them away for the day. You wouldn’t want to pack an unwanted visitor and bring him home with you.

Bears, badgers, or other aggressive animals may be encountered when hunting. Keep your eyes open and attempt to avoid any confrontations with any animal that you are not stalking. Keep in mind that this is the animal’s home and you are the guest. Try to back quietly away from an animal without disturbing it. If an animal attacks you, cover your head with your arms and roll into a tight ball to protect your head and torso from injury.

Teach your children to respect nature and the environment when hunting together. The best way to teach is by modeling respectful behavior while showing your children the basics of successful hunting. This ensures that the joys of hunting can continue for generations to come.

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